Varicose vein
A vein that has enlarged and twisted, often appearing as a bulging, blue blood vessel that is clearly visible through the skin. Varicose veins are most common in older adults, particularly women, and occur especially on the legs. Varicose veins can cause cramping pain and movement problems, or they may simply be a cosmetic concern. Treatment includes elevating the affected limb, wearing support hose to increase pressure on the vein, and in some cases surgery.
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- Varicosity
1. An enlarged and tortuous vein, artery, or lymphatic vessel. 2. Specifically, a varicose vein.
- Variola
Smallpox, a highly contagious and frequently fatal viral disease characterized by a biphasic (double-humped) fever and a distinctive skin rash that (if the patient survived) left pock marks in its wake. The English physician Edward Jenner (1749-1823) exploited the fact that cowpox created immunity to smallpox and successfully developed an attenuated (weakened) virus vaccine for […]
- Variolation
The old practice of inoculating someone with the virus of smallpox to produce immunity to the disease. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu introduced this practice into England from Turkey in 1721. Unfortunately, the identification of a suitable strain of the virus was not an exact science and grievous disease and death from variolation were not uncommon. […]
- Varix
An enlarged and convoluted vein, artery, or lymphatic vessel. Treatment of varices depends on where they are and whether they are causing problems. A varix in the esophagus can be caused by severe liver disease and can lead to bleeding. This form of varix can require treatment to prevent dangerous bleeding.
- Varus
(vara, varum) Angled inward, bent or twisted inward, as in cubitus varus, hallux varus, talipes equinovarus, genu varum, and coxa vara.